European leaders, ex-leaders, and businessmen are harshly criticizing "multiculturalism" as they have experienced it.
When you read the article linked below, no one comes across as hateful or racist. No, they see the value of a national identity now that it appears to be disappearing or completely vanished like in many parts of France.
The same thing can happen in America, if we let it.
Without intending to sound hateful or to be insulting to the differences of others, there is nothing wrong with cultivating an "American Identity" and encouraging our citizens the immigrants who grace our shores with their presence to embrace that identity.
Attempting to mandate nationalism or patriotism is not an American idea at all, and so that is not the point of this thread. Instead, the point is to shake the American reader into the realization of the importance of not forgetting our American identity and the shared blessings of American citizenship.
We are atheists, Sikhs, pagans, and Animists.
We are Muslims, Mormons, Buddhists, and Hindus.
We are Jews and by the Grace of the Almighty God,
YES we are CHRISTIANS.
There are more Christians in America than any other faith group in America-- historically and now. Christianity callls on the INDIVIDUAL to "CHOOSE" who one will serve. So our historically, Christian-dominated government has existed from the beginning with "freedom to choose" as part of the bedrock of our nation. There are few, if any, other countries in the world that can peacefully exist, with so many different races of people and with followers of so many different religions coexisting within her boundaries.
Surely, this is not by accident. This is by design.
God has shed His Grace on all of us here in America-- in a way that is unique to the rest of the world. We are wise to never forget this.
By God's Grace, America is a place that if you choose to identify yourself not by your American citizenship first but by your race, religious faith, or whatever, you can do so without fear or penalty. America doesn't mind if she isn't first, but that doesn't mean we should put America out of our minds. We should never neglect our American Identity. Never forget, never belittle, never disparage, never take for granted, we should never cast aside our American Identity!
We have something beautiful in having America as our home.
Our visitors and immigrants should know this early upon their arrival, not because it is written in a manual that must be memorized but because it is clearly seen in the everyday life and functions of America's citizens and her government.
Thank God for our differences and thank God for the USA.
God bless the many different cultures that help make America what she is today.
God bless the USA!
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110210...grationsociety